Combination tool for affixing a seal to strapping

ABSTRACT

A manually-operable tool which tensions a strap around a package or container and applies and crimps a seal around the strapping and which, finally, cuts the strapping behind the seal. The seals or connector elements are automatically fed from a magazine.

[ 1 Mar. 21, 1972 y m a H 52 36 99 W2 376 47 w 751 992 2 3 140/914.....l40/93.2 Hall et al. .............................140/93 4 [54]COMBINATION TOOL FOR AFFIXING A SEAL TO STRAPPING Kindersley Avenue,Mount Royal, Quebec, Canada Jan. 6, 1970 [72] Inventor: Thomas J.Karass, 411

Primary ExaminerLowell A. Larson Attorney-Pierre Lesperance 22 Filed:

1,009 ABSTRACT A manually-operable tool which tensions a stra [211 App].No.:

v p around a .l40/93.4, 140/1 23.6 package or container and applies andcrimps a seal around the .............B2lf 9/02 strapping and which,finally, cuts the strapping behind the 140/932, 93.4, 123.6 seal. Theseals or connector elements are automatically fed from a magazine.

[52] U.S. [51] Int. Cl. [58] Field of Search 8 Claims, 33 DrawingFigures References Cited 2,283,827Spencer,...............................100/934 Patented Mairch 21, 19726 Sheets-Sheet 1 m/vz r/mfe Thomas J. KARA 55 By 1101.)

AGENT Patented March 21, 1972 3,650,301

6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Thomas J. KARAS S BY M AGENT Patented March21, 1972 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVEf/TOR Thomas J. KARASS h m F A fig/"ITPatented March 21, 1972 6 Sheets-Shoot 4 all INVENTOR Thomas J KARASSPaten ted March 21, 1972 3,650,301

6 Sheets-Sheet 5 lNl /ENl'OR F ig.29 Thomas J. KARASS BY W A GEN TPatented March 21, 1972 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Fig.33

INVENTOR Thomas J. KARASS COMBINATION TOOL FOR AFFIXING A SEAL TOSTRAPPING This invention relates to a device for affixing a seal orconnector element to strapping.

More particularly, this invention relates to a combination device forapplying a seal element about a length of strapping, tensioning thestrapping, cutting the strapping and accomplishing sealing of the sealelement about the strapping.

Canadian Pat. Nos. 688,834 and 688,731 illustrate various types of sealsor strapping connectors for securing two lengths of strapping togetherabout a package or container. The former of the patents teaches aconnector in which the strap may be tensioned by hand; the latter inwhich a connector is adapted to be mechanically sealed about lengths ofa strapping. It is the latter type of connector with which the device ofthe present invention is adapted to be used.

In the prior art, certain types of devices have been proposed forsecuring a connector about lengths of strapping. Normally, these devicesare merely devices which receive the ends of strapping, with a connector'about the strapping and pull or tension the strapping about a containerto a desired degree of tension. With a separate device, the connector isthen clamped together to tie the Strapping ends. Depending on thearrangement, a third device is sometimes required to cut excessstrapping.

With this invention, applicant has developed a combination device whichaccomplishes all three operations at the same time. In still furtheraspects of this invention, there are provided assemblies forautomatically opening a clamp and closing a cutter component; anassembly for permitting the fitting of a strap into the combinationdevice whereby the passive end is secured against movement under theclamp and the active end of the strap may be fed into a tensioningcomponent with no possibility of error; a clamp component acting on theprinciple of a toggle adapted to apply uniform pressure to strapping; aself-aligning pad device adapted to insure substantially even pressure,and which device may be made adjustable for different strap thicknesses;an asymmetrical clamping jaw component adapted to provide positiveclosing of the seal, which component takes into consideration the longand short sides of a seal and the fact that there are two thicknesses ofmetal encountered on one side of the seal and three thicknesses on theother side; means for operating the sealing jaws, .said means includinga crank and connecting rod assembly mounted on suitable rotatable means,e.g., spherical bearings, whereby movement of the connecting rod iscontrolled in three planes at the same time with the added advantagethat the principle of providing maximum force in both the vertical andhorizontal directions, in a substantially simultaneous means isaccomplished; and a cutting mechanism component wherein a movablecutting component, e.g., a knife or guillotine, is maintained in closecontact with a stationary cutting component, e.g., a blade, by pressuremeans, e.g., a spring, whereby even the thinnest strap may besatisfactorily cut. In this aspect, because of the spring pressure, thecutting means are to some extent self-sharpening. In a preferredembodiment, a reversible cutting mechanism may be provided whereby twocutting components may be incorporated into the device of the presentinvention with suitable mounting means permitting reversal of thecutting edges should one become damagedor dulled through use.

Having thus generally described the invention, reference will now bemade to the accompanying drawings, in which: 7

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an assembled tool according tothe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a seal;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the seal;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the seal;

FIG. 5 is a side view of two overlying portions of a strap connected bya crimped seal;

FIG. 6 is a cross section on an enlarged scale on line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the assembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the tool of a package to be strapped andof a strap to be tensioned and secured by a seal, the passive end of thestrap already inserted in the tool;

FIGS. 9 to 12 show in perspective the tool in successive stages ofoperation;

FIG. 13 shows how the tool can be suspended on a hook for working alongthe vertical face of a container;

FIG. 14 is a side elevation showing the base, the pistol grip, the strapclamping mechanism and the strap cutting mechanism, both mechanismsoperated by pivoting of the gill);

FIG. 15 is a partial side elevation of the base showing the clampinghead clamping a strap portion on the pad and showing the other strapportion extending over the pressure head, the position of the clampinghead corresponding to the closed position of the pistol grip;

FIG. 16 is a partial side elevation of the cutter mechanism in the openposition corresponding to the closed position of the pistol grip;

FIG. 17 is an elevation of the cutting blade and slidable cuttingmember, the latter in strap-receiving lower position;

FIG. 18 is a partial longitudinal section of the cutter assembly;

FIG. 19 is a partial section of the housing and showing the pistol gripouter end in locked closed position;

FIG. 20 is a partial side elevation of the base showing the capstanandpart of its operating handle journaled therein;

FIG. 21 is a cross section on line 2l-2l of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a longitudinal section on line 22-22 of F IO. 21;

FIG.. 23 is a partial elevation of the connector magazine, connectorstherein and pressure head;

FIG. 24 is a longitudinal section on line 24-24 of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a cross section on line 25-25 of FIG. 23;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the pressure head;

FIG. 27 is a cutaway side elevation of the tool showing the feeder armin advanced position, having fed a connector to the sealing jaws;

FIG. 28 is a front elevation of the feeder arm with the base in partialcross section;

FIG. 29 is a view similar to FIG. 27 showing the feeder arm in retractedposition ready to engage the lowermost connector in the magazine;

FIG. 30 is a detail showing the feeding rod in contact with a connector;7

FIG. 31 is a cross section of the tool along line 30-30 of FIG. 27;

FIG. 32 is a partial cross section similar to FIG. 30 showing the sealermechanism in connector crimping position; and

FIG. 33 is a plan section on line 33-33 of FIG. 31.

The tool of the invention is more particularly designed to be used withmetal connectors 1 (FIGS. 1, 2, and 3); the connector is applied andcrimped about two overlying portions 2 and 3 of a tape or strap, asshown in FIGS. 5 to 7, with the short side 4 of connector 1 overlyingthe long side 5. The strap is preferably made of plastic or ofjuxtaposed strands of synthetic fiber. The tool, generally indicated at6 in FIG. 1, comprises an elongated base 7 having a flattenedlongitudinal side 8 with a central laterally opening notch 9.

To the other longitudinal side of base 7 is secured an upstandingconnector magazine 10, of U-shaped cross section, for receiving a stackof connectors l and forming the front side 11 of the sealer housing forthe connector applying and crimping mechanism 12, the side 13 of saidhousing being secured to base 7. The two sides 11 and 13 are heldtogether at their upper ends by means of a cover plate 14. A hook 15 issecured to the housing sides 11 and 13 to raise the tool. The sealerhousing and connector magazine overhang base 7 to define a laterallyopening strap receiving slot with said base.

Base 7 has a rearward extension 16, to the back end of which is pivotedat 17 a piston grip l8 and on the front portion of which is formed abore 19, FIG. 14, in which is journaled a strap tensioning drum orcapstan 20.

FIGS. 14 to 19 show the novel automatic strap clamping and strap cuttingassembly. A pressure pad 21 is pivoted about a pin 21 in the forwardportion of base 7. A clamping lever 22 is pivoted at 23 on base 7 andforms a laterally extending clamping head 24 at its lower end disposedabove pressure pad 21.

The upper end of lever 22 is adjustably and rotatably connected to aconnecting rod 25, pivoted at 36 to the front end of piston grip 18.Closing of pistol grip 18 in the direction of arrow A closes clampinghead 24, as shown at A", to clamp passive strap end 2 inserted betweenhead 24 and pad 21. The latter, being pivoted, is self-aligning andinsures even pressure.

The cutting assembly includes a stationary reversible cutting blade 260having two edges 26b and a movable cooperating cutting member 27. Astepped bolt 28, extending through registering elongated apertures 27and 26' in member 27 and blade 26a, adjustably vertically secures theblade 26a to the rear face of housing back side 13 and supports a spring29, which presses member 27 against blade 26a. Member 27 has a guidingslot 30 coacting with the cutting blade sides for guided up-and-downmovement.

A tension spring 31, attached to base 7 and to a pin 32 secured tocutting member 27, urges the latter into lowered position in which thelaterally opening notch 33 of member 27 is free to receive strap portion3. A bar 34 is guided for longitudinal movement in a groove 35 of baseback extension 16 (see FIG. 21 and is pivoted at 36a to pistol grip 18such that closing movement of grip 18 in the direction of arrow A inFIG. 14 causes retraction of the front ramp end 37 of bar 34, asindicated by arrow A in FIG. 16, to allow lowering of member 27 byspring 31, as indicated by arrow A in FIG. 16. Opening of grip 18 causesforward movement of ramp 37 in aperture 38 of member 27, as indicated byarrows B, causing upward cutting movement of member 27, as indicated byarrow B, to thus cut strap portion 3.

Pistol grip 18 is removably latched in closed position by catch 39 urgedby a spring 40 into a blind bore 41 of housing back side 13. Apushbutton 42 is pivoted in pistol grip 18 at 43 and its lower endengages a lateral groove in catch 39, whereby forward pivoting ofpushbutton 42 causes rearward retracting and releasing movement of catch39.

FIGS. 1, 20, 21, and 22 show the strap tensioning assembly.

The tensioning drum shank 44 is journaled in bores 19 and a ratchet 45is secured to shank 44 by key 19 within the end of an operating handle46 freely surrounding shank 44. Handle 46 carries a spring-loadedratchet actuating pawl 47, while base extension carries a spring-loadedratchet holding pawl 48. By movement of handle 46, the tensioning drumor capstan 20 is rotated in one direction to wind and tension strapportion 3 inserted into slots 49 of capstan 20.

FIGS. 23 to 26 show the connector magazine 10, of U- shaped crosssection, holding a stack of connectors l with the sides overlapping anddownwardly directed and with short sides 4 adjacent the magazine opening50. A pressure block 51 serves to retain connectors 1 in magazine andexert a downward pressure thereon. Block 51 is inserted through the topof magazine 10 and is guided in grooves 52 of the latter.

Block 51 is spring loaded by means of a coiled leaf spring 53. The coilis rotatably mounted in block 51, while its uncoiled portion extends ina magazine groove 54 and is attached to the lower end ofthe magazine bya screw 55.

FIGS. 27 to 30 show the connector feeding mechanism. The sides oflowermost connector 1 of the stack in magazine 10 rest on upper andlower rails 56. The front of magazine 10 mounts a feeding arm 59 pivotedat 60 and urged by spring 61 towards magazine 10. The lower end offeeding arm carries a feeding rod 70 pivoted at 62' and urged upwardlyby a spring 63, the outer V-shaped end 64 of rod 70 being guided by thelower edges of magazine 10 into engagement with the lowermost connector(FIG. 30) to push the same, under action of spring 61 into a connectorsealing position.

Referring to FIGS. 27 and 31, a manually operable handle 65 is securedto the end of a crank shaft 66 located between housing sides 11 and 13and journaled in slide blocks 67. Connected to the other end of crankshaft by bolt 68 is a cam 68 bearing a roll 69 engaging, upon forwardoperation of handle 65, a cam edge 62 of a cam arm 71 rigidly secured tofeeding arm 59, so as to move the latter to the retracted position ofFIG. 29. I

Cam 68 has a cam edge 72, which, upon forward rotation of handle 65,comes to bear against a reaction roll 73 carried by the tool housing,causing downward movement of slide blocks 67. Blocks 67 are secured bybolts 74 (see FIG. 33) to a pair of guide plates 75, which are slidablyguided in grooves 76 in housing sides 11 and 13.

A connecting rod 77 is pivoted by a ball joint 78 to the outer end ofcrank shaft 66, while its lower end is pivoted by a ball joint 79 to apin 80 perpendicular to the crank shaft axis and having its endsinserted into and guided by V-shaped grooves 81 made in guide plates 75.Two pairs of levers 86 are pivoted to pin 80 and at 82 to the upper endof four pairs of sealing jaws 83. The intermediate portion of saidsealing jaws is pivoted by pins 84 to three pairs of anvils 85, alsoacting as connector retainer. The jaws and anvils are shorter on oneside than on the other to engage the unequal sides of connector 1. Asshown in FIGS. 8 to 13, a roll pin 87 protrudes from housing side 13 toact as a stop for handle in its rear position. Pin 87 also acts as afulcrum to raise the sealing assembly upon rearward movement of handle65.

A buffer plate (not shown) is secured to the lower end of the rear guideplate 75 and receives the end of the connector 1 fed by feeding rod 62between the open jaws.

In operation, the device of the present invention, as explained above,is first of all loaded with suitable seals 1 in a vertical row inmagazine 10. Then pressure head 51 is positioned over the seal stack andthe lever 65 placed in a rearward position to open jaws 83 and feed thelowermost connector of the stack to the jaws 83 and anvils 85. Thedevice thus assumes the configuration as shown in FIG. 1.

The pushbutton 42 is then acted on and the pistol grip 18 opened bypivoting about its pivot point, as in FIG. 8. Then, the passive outerend 2 of a strap is fed through the lateral slot defined by base 7 andmagazine 10 under the opened clamp 24 to locate the strap over pad 21and as far in as it will go, i.e., preferably with its-edge touchingagainst the wall at the back of the support plate. The pistol grip isthen closed whereby the strap outer end is tightly clamped, as in FIG.9. If desired, it may be adjusted by screwing the clamp arm tighter. Thestrap issuing from the back of the device is then fed around a packageor container P to be sealed, and then it is inserted in theabove-defined lateral slot over the already positioned strap portion inthe slot and subsequently placed in the notch 33 of cutting member 27and then in the slots of the capstan or tensioning drum 20. Tension isthen applied to the strap by moving the tensioning lever 46 in abackward and forward motion, as in FIG. 9. During tensioning, theapparatus may be held steady by holding the sealing handle 65 or byholding the pistol grip 18.

Following the tensioning operation, the lever 65 is then pushed forwardand downward, as in FIG. 10, while holding the pistol grip 18 (tobalance the load). Lever 65 retracts feeder rod against action of spring61 and closes the various clamping jaws 83 through crank arm 66 andconnecting rod 77 to crimp the seal. Then, the lever 65 is movedrearward, whereby the jaws 83 open, releasing the seal and strap,

and the next seal in the magazine is then fed to the crimping jaws.Then, the pushbutton 42 is acted on and the pistol 2 then opened (FIG.99), whereby the movable cutting blade 27 is raised to cut the strapportion behind the seal and clamp arm 22 opens, releasing the strap (seeFIG. 12). The device of the present invention can then be removed fromthe package which has been strapped by tilting the tool slightly andmoving it laterally so that the sealed strap will clear base 7.

It will be noted that in the raised position of the clamping jawassemblies with lever 65 extending rearwardly of the tool, theright-hand jaws 83 and right-hand anvils are spaced upwardly from base 7to allow lateral insertion of the two overlying strap portions. As abovenoted, the laws 83 effect asymmetrical closing movement due to thearrangement of pin 80 moving downwardly within V-shaped grooves 81.

Referring to FIGS. 31 and 32, the left-hand jaws 83 close first to bendand apply the long side 5 of connector 1 against the overlaying strapportions. Then the right-hand jaws 83 bend and apply the short side 4 ofthe connector over the long side 5, to obtain the seal shown in FIG. 6,this figure being reversed with respect to that of FIG. 32.

FIG. 13 shows how a hook H can be connected to the back of base 7 byusing back hole 88 for suspending the tool along a vertical surface of apackage P,. Obviously, hook H may be connected to the front hole 89 ofbase 7.

I claim:

1. A tool for affixing a connector around two overlying portions of astrap surrounding a package or container, comprising, in combination, aframe, first manually operable means mounted on said frame fortemporarily clamping a first one of two spaced strap portions on saidframe, second manually operable means mounted on said frame engageablewith the other of said strap portions for tensioning the strap around apackage or container, with the two strap portions in overlying position,and third manually operable means mounted on said frame for sealing aconnector element about the strap overlying portions, said first-namedmeans including a pad carried by said frame and a clamping head movablymounted on said frame for cooperation with said pad, said second meansincluding a tensioning drum rotatably mounted on said frame and inalignment with said pad and clamping head, said third means including anassembly of anvils and of openable and closable sealing jaws carried bysaid frame intermediate said pad and tensioning drum and in alignmenttherewith, and fourth means mounted on said frame for cutting the strap,said fourth means being mounted intermediate said sealing jaws and saidtensioning drum and being in alignment therewith, said fourth meansbeing drivingly connected to said first means for cutting operation uponrelease of said first one of said strap portions.

2. A tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first means include a toolholding member pivoted at one end to said frame for movement betweenopen and closed position, a manually operable fifth means to latch saidtool holding member in closed position, first linkage connecting saidclamping head to said tool holding member, for clamping movement of saidclamping head upon closing movement of said tool holding member andsecond linkage connecting said fourth means to said tool holding memberfor cutting operation of said fourth means upon opening movement of saidtool holding member.

3. A tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fourth means include acutter blade secured to said frame and a cutting member movably mountedon said frame adjacent said cutting blade and operatively connected tosaid tool holding member by said second linkage, said cutting memberhaving a lateral notch for receiving a strap portion and being springpressed against said cutter blade.

4. A tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein said third manually operablemeans further include a support slidably mounted in said frame, a leverhandle rotatably mounted on said support, a crank shaft rotatablymounted on said support and keyed to said lever handle, said anvilscarried by said support, said sealing jaws including two sets of opposedsealing jaws, a pair of toggle lever mechanisms each including one setof said sealing jaws and connected to said support and to said crankshaft, a cam secured to said crank shaft, and a reaction member carriedby said frame and engaging said cam, so arranged that rotation of saidhandle in a direction to close said sealing jaws rotate said cam whichproduces slidable movement of said support towards said strap overlyingportions by reaction of said cam against said reaction member.

5. A tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pad is pivoted to saidframe.

6. A tool as claimed in claim 5, wherein said toggle lever mechanismsoperate in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said crank shaft, andincluding a common connecting rod connected to both said toggle evermechanisms and to said crank shaft by means of universal joints, theconnection of said connecting rod to said toggle lever mechanisms beingguided by said support for lateral and longitudinal movement, wherebyone set of sealing jaws effect closing movement before the other set ofsealing jaws. 1

7. A tool as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first linkage isadjustable to change the spacing between said clamping head and said padin the clamped position of said clamping head.

8. A tool as claimed in claim 1, further including a connector magazineformed by said frame for holding a plurality of connectors arranged in arow, said magazine having a free edge, and plunger means drivinglyconnected to said third means to engage the endmost connector of the rowand move it to a position for sealing the strap overlying portions, saidplunger means including a feeding arm pivotally connected to said frame,a plunger rod pivotally connected to the free end of said feeding arm,spring loaded for pivoting movement and slidably bearing against thefree edge of said magazine to be in alignment with the endmostconnector, a cam arm secured to said feeding arm and having a cam edgeand an eccentrically mounted member secured to said crankshaft cam andengaging said cam edge to pivot said feeding arm.

1. A tool for affixing a connector around two overlying portions of astrap surrounding a package or container, comprising, in combination, aframe, first manually operable means mounted on said frame fortemporarily clamping a first one of two spaced strap portions on saidframe, second manually operable means mounted on said frame engageablewith the other of said strap portions for tensioning the strap around apackage or container, with the two strap portions in overlying position,and third manually operable means mounted on said frame for sealing aconnector element about the strap overlying portions, said firstnamedmeans including a pad carried by said frame and a clamping head movablymounted on said frame for cooperation with said pad, said second meansincluding a tensioning drum rotatably mounted on said frame and inalignment with said pad and clamping head, said third means including anassembly of anvils and of openable and closable sealing jaws carried bysaid frame intermediate said pad and tensioning drum and in alignmenttherewith, and fourth means mounted on said frame for cutting the strap,said fourth means being mounted intermediate said sealing jaws and saidtensioning drum and being in alignment therewith, said fourth meansbeing drivingly connected to said first means for cutting operation uponrelease of said first one of said strap portions.
 2. A tool as claimedin claim 1, wherein said first means include a tool holding memberpivoted at one end to said frame for movement between open and closedposition, a manually operable fifth means to latch said tool holdingmember in closed position, first linkage connecting said clamping headto said tool holding member, for clamping movement of said clamping headupon closinG movement of said tool holding member and second linkageconnecting said fourth means to said tool holding member for cuttingoperation of said fourth means upon opening movement of said toolholding member.
 3. A tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fourthmeans include a cutter blade secured to said frame and a cutting membermovably mounted on said frame adjacent said cutting blade andoperatively connected to said tool holding member by said secondlinkage, said cutting member having a lateral notch for receiving astrap portion and being spring pressed against said cutter blade.
 4. Atool as claimed in claim 1, wherein said third manually operable meansfurther include a support slidably mounted in said frame, a lever handlerotatably mounted on said support, a crank shaft rotatably mounted onsaid support and keyed to said lever handle, said anvils carried by saidsupport, said sealing jaws including two sets of opposed sealing jaws, apair of toggle lever mechanisms each including one set of said sealingjaws and connected to said support and to said crank shaft, a camsecured to said crank shaft, and a reaction member carried by said frameand engaging said cam, so arranged that rotation of said handle in adirection to close said sealing jaws rotate said cam which producesslidable movement of said support towards said strap overlying portionsby reaction of said cam against said reaction member.
 5. A tool asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said pad is pivoted to said frame.
 6. A toolas claimed in claim 5, wherein said toggle lever mechanisms operate in aplane perpendicular to the axis of said crank shaft, and including acommon connecting rod, connected to both said toggle lever mechanismsand to said crank shaft by means of universal joints, the connection ofsaid connecting rod to said toggle lever mechanisms being guided by saidsupport for lateral and longitudinal movement, whereby one set ofsealing jaws effect closing movement before the other set of sealingjaws.
 7. A tool as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first linkage isadjustable to change the spacing between said clamping head and said padin the clamped position of said clamping head.
 8. A tool as claimed inclaim 1, further including a connector magazine formed by said frame forholding a plurality of connectors arranged in a row, said magazinehaving a free edge, and plunger means drivingly connected to said thirdmeans to engage the endmost connector of the row and move it to aposition for sealing the strap overlying portions, said plunger meansincluding a feeding arm pivotally connected to said frame, a plunger rodpivotally connected to the free end of said feeding arm, spring loadedfor pivoting movement and slidably bearing against the free edge of saidmagazine to be in alignment with the endmost connector, a cam armsecured to said feeding arm and having a cam edge and an eccentricallymounted member secured to said crankshaft cam and engaging said cam edgeto pivot said feeding arm.